JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regency Centers (NYS: REG) , a national owner, operator and developer of grocery-anchored shopping centers, has reduced its energy consumption since 2010 by 3.4 million kilowatt hours. The installation of networked lighting controls at 48 shopping centers, combined with the use of LED lighting and more efficient HID lamps, accounts for the majority of these savings.

"The networked lighting controls currently generate about $400,000 in annual expense savings," said Scott Prigge, senior vice president of national operations for Regency Centers. "Next year, we are on track to increase these savings by 55 percent, reducing our operating expenses by an additional $220,000. These savings have an immediate and impactful benefit to our bottom line, while also driving more competitive triple net expenses for our tenants."

Networked lighting controls, connected to the Internet via a cellular modem, save energy through more precise management of the on-off schedules of properties' site lighting systems. With conventional lighting controls, photocells or time clocks turn all lights on at dusk and off at dawn. But, networked lighting controls reduce light levels after peak traffic flows subside, typically an hour after stores close, when illumination needs are less than during operating hours. This load-shedding strategy reduces energy use by about 25-40 percent, while still maintaining adequate lighting for security, store personnel and overall property visibility.

Besides reducing utility costs, the lighting controls increase our property management effectiveness. The two-way communication provides remote access and real-time monitoring of properties' site lighting, generating alarms for system failures, power outages and other maintenances issues. This reduces the need for routine maintenance inspections and allows problems to be detected and resolved almost immediately. This real-time, remote monitoring capability, combined with precise control of the lighting schedule, ensures the lights are on only when they are needed.

Currently, Regency has networked lighting controls installed at 48 neighborhood and community centers in California (7), Colorado (3), Florida (16), Georgia (5), Oregon (2), Ohio (2), Tennessee (4) and Texas (9). Regency plans to add the lighting control systems to approximately 30 properties in the next 6 months to 12 months and will incrementally adopt the technology in its remaining portfolio where the investment makes sound financial sense.

"The payback period for the networked lighting controls is extremely attractive; typically one to three years, depending on the unique circumstances at each property," said Mark Peternell, vice president of sustainability for Regency. "And this does not take into consideration the additional maintenance savings derived from extending the life of the fixtures, which are no longer burning all night long."

In addition, Regency is participating in the U.S. Department of Energy's Commercial Building Energy Alliance program to help speed market adoption of energy-saving technologies and define cost-effective solutions to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient retail buildings. As part of this partnership, Regency is involved in DOE's Solid-State Lighting initiative, which showcases high-performance LED products for general parking lot illumination. Six of Regency's projects will have upgraded site illumination to LEDs by the end of the year, which, on average, reduces electrical use by 50 percent.

Energy savings is one of five focus areas for greengenuity®, Regency's ongoing commitment to reduce the environmental impact of developing and operating shopping centers. The company has realized steady improvement in sustainability performance in all five areas, including green building certification, water conservation, waste reduction, renewable energy and energy efficiency.

About Regency Centers Corporation

Regency is the leading national owner, operator and developer of grocery-anchored and community shopping centers. As of June 30, 2012, the Company owned 364 retail properties, including those held in co-investment partnerships. Including tenant-owned square footage, the portfolio encompassed 49.5 million square feet located in top markets throughout the United States. Since 2000, Regency has developed 209 shopping centers, including those currently in-process, representing an investment at completion of $3.0 billion. Operating as a fully integrated real estate company, Regency is a qualified real estate investment trust that is self-administered and self-managed. For more information, visit RegencyCenters.com.